Miami sent the third overall pick in the 1970 draft to…
Miami sent the third overall pick in the 1970 draft to Cleveland for All-Pro receiver Paul Warfield. The Browns selected quarterback Mike Phipps, who had uneven results and never became their long-term answer. Warfield became a centerpiece of Miami’s three straight Super Bowl teams, winning two championships and stretching defenses for the perfect 1972 club. Few trades show a larger gap between immediate star value and draft conversion.
Cleveland Browns Received
- pick 1970 first round pick (#3-Mike Phipps)
Miami Dolphins Received
- player Paul Warfield
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
On January 27, 1970, Cleveland traded star receiver Paul Warfield to Miami for the Dolphins’ first-round pick, third overall. The Browns used that selection on Purdue quarterback Mike Phipps. Cleveland’s own draft history and Warfield biography identify the transaction and its motivation: the Browns wanted a young quarterback to succeed an aging and injured Bill Nelsen.
Why Miami Paid a Premium Pick
Warfield was already one of football’s premier receivers, so Miami was buying established elite performance rather than projection. He immediately became the vertical centerpiece of Don Shula’s offense. During his first Miami stint, the Dolphins reached three consecutive Super Bowls, won Super Bowls VII and VIII, and completed the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972.
What Cleveland Got From Phipps
Phipps had moments of success and helped the Browns reach the 1972 playoffs, but he never became the franchise quarterback Cleveland envisioned. His performance was inconsistent, and the Browns ultimately moved on. That is a disappointing conversion of the No. 3 overall pick, particularly when measured against the Hall of Fame player surrendered to obtain it.
How the Hindsight Standard Applies
Cleveland’s logic was not irrational. Quarterback scarcity can justify aggressive decisions, and a top-three pick offered access to a premium prospect. But the realized-value gap is enormous. Miami received a proven star whose presence directly overlapped with a historic championship run; Cleveland received a quarterback who never matched the cost.
Final Verdict
Miami wins emphatically. Warfield’s Hall of Fame-level impact, two Dolphins championships and role on the undefeated 1972 team make this an A+ return. Cleveland’s failure to turn the third pick into comparable franchise value justifies an F despite the understandable quarterback-driven reasoning behind the original decision.